During transitional seasons (Spring + Fall), consider adding an Ayurvedic self-care practice to your routine. Self-care is the art of directing your time and energy towards yourself. Self-care practices don’t have to be expensive or time consuming, they can be easy and fun! Here are 3 simple Ayurvedic self-care practices that I personally practice in between seasons. Ayurvedic self-care practices help deepen your connection with yourself so that you can more easily assimilate to nature as it changes. If you want to go deeper into establishing an Ayurvedic routine, consider doing a 14 Day Seasonal Ayurvedic Cleanse. This cleanse includes Ayurvedic self care practices, food and lifestyle changes, and daily yoga and meditation practices. If you’d like to be included on the next Fall cleanse, request an invite to become an EAT STRETCH NAP Insider.

Garshana - Dry Brushing

Garshana is the act of of taking a dry brush and brushing your skin, just like how you might brush your hair. You can buy a dry brush on Amazon or Whole Foods for an average of $13. Brush your skin with a dry brush in long upwards motions towards your heart. The best time to dry brush is right before you shower. It only takes about 1-2 minutes. Aside from this practice feeling good, clean and refreshing, it’s benefits include circulating energy, increasing blood flow and helping shed dry skin.

Abhyanga - Oil Massage

Abhyanga is the use of oil to massage and stimulate your body. You can use sesame oil or coconut oil. These particular oils can be purchased at your local grocery store or Amazon for less than $10. Lay out a beach towel in your bathroom, bedroom or somewhere with a lot of space that you feel comfortable being alone (and naked!) in. Rub oil all over your body in long upward motions towards your heart. Avoid your face if you break out easily, but include your scalp and hair. Massage yourself with love and care. Once you’ve massaged the oil into your skin, lay in savasana (simply lie down) on your towel, close your eyes and just rest. You can set a timer for your desired amount of time. 5 minutes is great, 20 minutes is great - it’s up to you. Oil massages help nurture and smooth your skin as well as detoxify your body. It’s also a great time to notice your body and appreciate it for all that it does for you. Lay with your eyes closed and thank yourself for taking the time to relax and support yourself. The best time to do an oil massage is right before you shower. Obviously, because you don't want to walk around or go to bed with oil all over your body. Well, maybe you do…up to you!

Jihwa Prakshalana - Tongue Scraper

This is a practice you can do daily or seasonally. The tongue scrapper that I use and is a silver metal wire with a flat edge shaped like a U. I take the curvy part of the U and scrape it down the length of my tongue in order to cleanse off the top filmy layer. It’s important not to do this too hard. You’re not trying to cut into your tongue, just clean it up a little bit! Tongue scraping keeps your mouth feeling so fresh and so clean, cavity and gingivitis free, and even increases the sensitivity of your taste buds so food tastes better - how great is that! I know I'll be cleansing with extra love in preperation for the next JBF Greens event in Chicago - ugh I love food!!!

Which one of these 3 practices are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments.

meet cat

cat aldana

Cat is a yoga teacher, wife, writer, designer and lover of french fries, fake eyelashes + red lipstick. She believes hard work is overrated and dancing is the best workout. Learn more about her yoga practice at cataldasana.com

In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

SAT. JAN. 12, 2018 - SAT. JAN. 19, 2018

An EAT STRETCH NAP™ Retreat is a life-changing wellness vacation that teaches Yoga, Meditation + Ayurveda practices to busy people who want more time and more space in their lives to focus on their health - physically, mentally, emotionally + spiritually.